Marshall philosophical as Hull FC sign Fax prospect Rawsthorne

Super League high flyers Hull FC have signed Halifax’s promising utility back Nick Rawsthorne.

Rawsthorne, who has yet to play a senior game at any level, has excelled for Fax’s re-formed reserve grade this season, running in a hat trick from centre against the Airlie Birds earlier in the year.

The former Brooksbank School pupil only joined his hometown club in January after spending his teenage years at Headingley, playing for both Leeds Carnegie and the Rhinos.

The Old Brodleians junior, a star of Damian Ball’s all-conquering Champion Schools teams, is understood to have agreed a full time, three year contract with Lee Radford’s side, a deal negotiated by his agent, the former Fax player and coach Karl Harrison.

“I would love Nick to have stayed here and been part of what we’re building,” said Fax coach Richard Marshall, who has already signed four of Rawsthorne’s teammates - Elliot Morris, Brandon Moore, James Woodburn-Hall and Morgan Punchard - on two year contracts.

“At the moment though, when a club like Hull offers him a good, full time, contract for three years it’s hard for him to turn down and, honestly, I wouldn’t expect him to.

“As a club, we get a lot of benefits from running a reserve grade and it gives a pathway for local players to progress as professionals.

“The downside, if you can call it that, is that it also exposes them to the wider rugby league community.

“Nick goes with our best wishes; we’ve got a good relationship with Hull and it may be that he comes back on loan at some stage so we can help him with his development.”